Pinero << puh NEER oh >>, Arthur Wing (1855-1934), was a skillful and highly productive English playwright. He became popular at first for comedies and later for “problem plays,” in which he explored various social problems of his day. The problem plays helped pave the way for serious drama in England. Prior to 1910, Pinero’s success in England rivaled that of his contemporary, George Bernard Shaw.
Pinero gained great popularity for the comedy The Magistrate (1885); Dandy Dick (1887), one of his many farces; and the sentimental romance Sweet Lavender (1888). Later hits included the sentimental comedy Trelawny of the “Wells” (1898) and The Gay Lord Quex (1899), one of his finest comedies. Pinero’s most popular problem plays included The Second Mrs. Tanqueray (1893) and His House in Order (1906). His problem plays are now considered outdated, but theater companies occasionally revive his comedies.
Pinero was born on May 24, 1855, in London. King Edward VII knighted him in 1909, and he became known as Sir Arthur Pinero. He died on Nov. 23, 1934.
